TESTIMONIALS
from participants in Tricia’s writing workshops
As an ex-prof, I know that all the material Tricia brings to us doesn’t just appear on its own! I love her wealth of familiarity with so much poetry and fiction, and I love her enthusiasm and care. She’s made a great deal of difference in Lunenburg, in other communities now that the workshops are online, and in my writing life over the last few years. – Faye Pickrem, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia & Toronto, Ontario
If Tricia is leading a writing group or a study group I immediately sign up. She is such a special teacher: works hard to bring a wide variety of writing and music and history into our discussion; provides insightful paths to explore and to further work on; encourages each person in the group to address the topic at their own pace and from their own points of view. On top of all these skills she has a truly caring, compassionate, and creative heart that comes through in each session. That probably means the most to me: I have a new friend whom I trust and respect and enjoy. We can laugh and cry even in the depths of writing that is challenging as well as engaging. I am so thankful to Tricia for being on my journey of writing my own story and deepening my love of books. – Diana F. Scholl, Portland, Oregon
“With my whole career having been devoted to teaching writing and literature, it is a delight to find a writing workshop leader/mentor who can facilitate a new perspective towards writing, while gently encouraging me to grow and to take risks in my own writing journey. Tricia fosters such a supportive and engaging group dynamic, I look forward to our sessions every week.” — Anne Weeks, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
“I feel very lucky that Tricia moved to Lunenburg and set up her TIME TO WRITE teaching and writing community when she did. I had just finished promoting If I had an Old House on the East Coast and was planning to develop a long fiction project I’ve been wanting to write. I signed up for Tricia’s critique class and found myself in a high-level class that helped the four of us in the class wrestle with the challenges writers experience, while giving lots of tools and references, ideas and tips from her first-hand experience to help us tell our stories. She also skillfully facilitated group critique of the work we submitted.
Tricia has provided necessary encouragement not only to me, but to a whole burgeoning writing community brought together through her classes. She is so knowledgeable about books, writing, the writing world, etc., and it has made all the difference. It’s like being back at grad school, only Tricia’s classes are much more reasonably priced (!), and she is more invested in being a mentor and community builder than just teaching.
Tricia’s critique class helped me crack through hesitation and move forward strategically with my project. She is a beautiful and brave writer, herself, which gives depth and legitimacy to what she teaches.
I am continuing as a Tricia Snell student as I am a participant in her ‘Tools for Writing a Book’ workshop, and I suspect I will continue with whatever she offers next. Tricia is a highly organized, prepared, inspiring and gifted teacher. I absolutely recommend her classes. Here’s hoping I can look back and acknowledge her when I finish my project.” – Wanda Baxter, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia
“I have enjoyed this class immensely, especially how Tricia frames up each session, collects key prompts, suggests many pertinent readings, and provides perceptive commentary. I’ve been through many years of undergraduate and graduate literary study, with many teachers, and Tricia is one of the best writing facilitators I have met.” — Chuck Stewart, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
“TIME TO WRITE has been a wonderful experience for me in the past year. I was eager to connect with fellow writers in the area as I was new here, and the workshops have provided intimate sessions in which we shared our experiences, work and ideas. The prompts and exercises are good challenges. If you need a nudge with your writing, your writing habits or you need to build on your writers’ community, this is an excellent place to start. Tricia is amiable, kind and encouraging. Her experience and welcoming ways ensure a safe environment to share and create. This workshop will inspire and motivate you.” — Melanie Sora, Hebbs Cross, Nova Scotia
I sign up for Tricia’s writing workshops every chance I get. As a life-long writer who has been in a variety of workshops for several decades, I find that Tricia creates the best range of writing prompts combined with samples of music and art to stimulate the creation of new work that I have ever experienced. When I work with her, and the other writers who take her classes, I produce more and better work than I do in any other workshop, and I have a bank of ideas that continues to inspire me for months. – Kris Demien, Portland, Oregon
Tricia has been the facilitator of a writing workshop I have been attending for many years. Tricia’s workshop is not your typical workshop or writing class where it becomes an opportunity for attendees to critique negatively each other’s work. There is always encouragement and further inspiration from Tricia and the other attendees. An accomplished writer and musician, she brings thoughtful, inspiring presentations for the class to launch off into their writing. She facilitates deep conversation. She always gently motivates me to dig deep and write from my soul. Tricia was the motivation for me to finish a book of poetry and get it published. Her workshops are insightful, propelling, and fun to attend. – Jean V. Foerster, Portland, Oregon
“Tricia creates a welcoming and safe table (virtually, or in person) for any writer who loves to read, loves language, and is curious about the world. Each week she chooses evocative & often unexpected themes to explore, shares beautiful fragments of poems & stories to start the flow, & crafts just-right prompts that are spacious & inviting. She is a deep listener & her feedback is always wise, insightful & trustworthy. The range, quality & depth of the writing that happens in these sessions (& afterwards) is truly remarkable.” – Catherine Walker, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
“Tricia is a rare gem of a teacher who has a gift for bringing together writers and want-to-be writers and creating a nurturing environment in which to write. Her TIME TO WRITE workshops offer inspiration, encouragement, and focused writing time. The result is not just emerging from each class with a piece of writing that might otherwise have taken you days to write, but more importantly, with the self-confidence and tools needed to set up or deepen your writing practice.” – Vanessa McKiel, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
“I attended Tricia’s Writing Critique Workshop in early 2020. It was my first critique workshop. I wanted to get some feedback on my first novel-length story but I was a little apprehensive. Would I get slammed, laughed at and told not to quit my day job? Or would the workshop be primarily an exercise in would-be authors boosting each other’s fragile self-esteem at the expense of needed critical feedback? I was hoping for a balance of encouragement where it could honestly be given and constructive criticism aimed at helping me improve my story. Thankfully, that’s exactly what Tricia’s workshop provided.
The workshop was held in a bright cozy room – very inviting. Two walls were lined with literature. Most importantly, the workshop was facilitated by a published writer and creative writing teacher who knows how to balance encouragement and constructive criticism – and, just as importantly, how to bring out that balance in the participants. Tricia created a warm and welcoming environment in which all of us who attended felt both included and individuated. Despite significant differences in our writing projects and styles, Tricia was constantly able to zero in on both what made each of our stories interesting and where they could be improved. She also always encouraged our feedback on each other’s work before adding her own insights. Plus she always inspired us with powerful insights from other writers.
I learned a great deal in Tricia’s workshop about how others viewed my story, where it was already of interest to them and how to improve it in various ways. I also learned a great deal about how to give constructive feedback to other writers, as well as learning more about creative writing itself. I heartily recommend Tricia’s workshops to anyone who wants to gather with other writers in a supportive environment to improve his or her writing.”–Paul McKenzie, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia